Pilot School or College?

[Tarheelpilot]

I'm 23 years old and currently in college. Recently I have been debating on going to pilot school, but I hear the cost of tuition is very expensive and some if not most programs cost more than college tuition. Should I stay in college and finish my computer science and electrical engineering degrees or put college off for right now to go to pilot school?

Finish your degree. If you have time/money look around at airports in the area with rental aircraft and instructors to start your flight training. Don’t get sucked in by the big university pilot programs. Everything about them is overpriced and overrated.

 

[nauga]

In response to your last comment about me "waiting for it to come to me". I don't quite understand.

It was not directed at you, it was directed at me. Find what you want to do and go for it, as it sounds like you're doing. Just do so with open eyes.

Nauga,
with a finger in his own chest

 

[nauga]

I think it is a little silly to say that my engineering degree and the effort I put into it was simply a waste of time...
Unfortunately, it seems my curiosity for other careers rubs people the wrong way. As if it is some sort of personal attack against anyone with an engineering career.

If either of these are in response to anything I've posted then you've read WAY too much into my posts. I offer advice and personal experience. Take it or (as I expect you have) leave it.

Nauga,
not for everyone

 

[CC268]

If either of these are in response to anything I've posted then you've read WAY too much into my posts. I offer advice and personal experience. Take it or (as I expect you have) leave it.

Nauga,
not for everyone

I have heard the opinions/advice of many. They vary drastically. Ask 10 different people, get 10 different answers. Nothing wrong with that. They are all valuable in their own unique way. I don't really know exactly what I want to do yet, hence why I am exploring a bit.

Not directed at you, but a lot of people are quick to comment if you don't follow the same career, the same lifestyle, etc. Some humbleness and encouragement goes a long ways. It would go a long ways in the GA community as well (actually everyone I've ever met at the airport has been incredibly excited and supportive about the things I share with them).

 

[Ghery]

Finish your degree! Get a good job and get your PPL and endorsements in the evening and on weekends, through your local FBO or individual CFI. The cost will be much, much lower; you will likely experience more varied weather; and you will be earning good money.

You can always change careers to become a pilot if you want to. Should you not like the lifestyle, you can move right back into a good engineering position and fly when and as you like.

signed, BSME, MSE, PPL / IA, Airplane Owner, Pilot for Fun and Travel

Absolutely. And, as noted by others, the airlines will require a degree (doesn't matter the subject, but a 4 year degree is needed). Why? I don't know, maybe it's a filter to weed out those who didn't have the drive to finish? I'll leave that to the airlines to address.

An engineering degree is a great one to have. Get it and go fly.

signed, BSEE, PP-ASEL / IA, Flying club member, Pilot for fun

 

[PaulS]

If either of these are in response to anything I've posted then you've read WAY too much into my posts. I offer advice and personal experience. Take it or (as I expect you have) leave it.

Nauga,
not for everyone

The only thing that wigs me out about you is that pic above your name …..

 

[wayne]

I’d like a reference on that, because when I use it on my teenagers, they’re going to ask me where I heard it (they are tougher than the POA crowd).

One little Google search and.....:

A recent study from Georgetown University found that, on average, college graduates earn $1 million more in earnings over their lifetime. Another recent study by the Pew Research Center found that the median yearly income gap between high school and college graduates is around $17,500.Nov 29, 2016​